National News

In 7 Months, It'll Be 'Saint John Paul II'

by Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

(NEWSER) – It's official: Pope John Paul II will be declared a saint on April 27, 2014—as will Pope John XXIII, pontiff from 1958-1963, in the Catholic Church's first-ever double canonization. Pope Francis, who will lead the ceremony, announced the date at a meeting with cardinals today, theAP notes. He'll declare John XXIII a saint even though he has only one miracle on his record, short of the usualrequirement of two, the BBC reports. Known as a progressive, John opted for the vernacular, rather than Latin, in masses; he also improved the Church's relationship with Judaism. Pope Benedict will also be on hand for the canonization.